Ch 137: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Jiang Lin’s condition was far from good. Nearly half of his skin and limbs had undergone mutation, becoming smooth, sticky, and an unsettling shade of fleshy pink. His head was dotted with protrusions that, if opened, might reveal golden vertical pupils. His limbs hung limp, as though devoid of bones.

Lu Yao put away the Regulation Rod, bent down, and lifted Jiang Lin from the floor, placing him back onto a chair.

Cai Yuxing, still dazed, stood up and moved closer to Lu Yao, her voice trembling with residual sobs. “Can he recover?”

Lu Yao didn’t answer directly, instead asking, “Have you encountered this before?”

Jiang Lin’s rapid mutation stood in stark contrast to Liu Jing’s earlier condition, which seemed significantly less severe. Lu Yao speculated that Liu Jing might have experienced her first instance of such a phenomenon, whereas Jiang Lin and Cai Yuxing had likely faced it numerous times before.

Once someone lost the ability to recognize their own humanity, they could gradually transform into one of those beings. It was clear that the god of Ghost Street had a dark and twisted sense of humor.

Cai Yuxing nodded. “Many times. But this is the first time it’s been this severe. When someone reaches Jiang Lin’s state, they usually transform completely very quickly.”

Years of survival experience on Ghost Street had taught Cai Yuxing that Jiang Lin was beyond saving. Yet, something about the shopkeeper’s demeanor inspired a fragile glimmer of hope—perhaps she had a way.

Lu Yao asked, “When this happened before, how did you deal with it?”

Cai Yuxing explained, “We’ve always been together, so one of us is always alert. At night, we take turns keeping watch. When we notice something wrong, we wake the other up—sometimes even resorting to hitting them to bring them back to their senses. But every time this happens, the effect of these methods weakens. Based on how often it’s happened, Jiang Lin and I don’t have much time left.”

When they first arrived on Ghost Street, they were young and pure-hearted, their bond enabling them to endure for so long. Most of the people who had come with them three years ago had already succumbed to His influence.

Lu Yao lowered her gaze in thought. Loss of self-recognition seemed to be the root of human mutation. Reestablishing a sense of humanity might reverse the symptoms.

Recalling Liu Jing’s earlier condition, an idea began to form. “In that case, why don’t we try making a few fireworks?”

Cai Yuxing was taken aback. Watching the shopkeeper’s serious expression, she assumed Lu Yao was considering an effective remedy—but then this?

Lu Yao didn’t elaborate on her hypothesis, as it was still unverified. She simply said, “If Jiang Lin’s condition is discovered by the church…”

“He can’t go to the church!” Cai Yuxing interrupted, her voice rising in alarm. “The church is one of his pawns. Anyone who mutates and goes there is just food delivered to the dining hall.”

Lu Yao: “…”
So that’s how it is.

Cai Yuxing hesitated before relenting, “Alright, let’s make fireworks.”

With no way out, even if this was merely a distraction, it was better than facing their fate immediately.

While Cai Yuxing and Jiang Lin understood the concept of flame reactions, they didn’t know how to actually make fireworks.

Fortunately, Lu Yao had done her homework. She started by playing a video on the demonstration platform, explaining the principles of firework creation.

They watched the video repeatedly until they had a rough grasp of the process. Then, they followed the steps shown in the video to start making the fireworks.

The color of a firework’s explosion is determined by the heavy metal materials mixed into the powder, which are then processed into small spheres called “stars.”

The shape of the firework is determined by how these stars are arranged inside the launch tube—a part that could be freely designed.

Jiang Lin, whose consciousness was still hazy, moved with the clumsy motor skills of a young child.

Lu Yao occasionally praised Jiang Lin: “Jiang Lin, you’re doing great! This star is so perfectly round!”

For safety reasons, Lu Yao strictly controlled the materials and proportions used for the handmade fireworks, ensuring that the guests could safely enjoy the fun of the activity.

Jiang Lin visibly brightened at her words. His large orange-yellow eyes gleamed as he reached into the materials again. Before long, he held up a blackish star-shaped piece in his soft, boneless hand, proudly showing it to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao smiled encouragingly: “Jiang Lin, you’re getting better and better!”

Cai Yuxing watched Jiang Lin with increasing sorrow in her eyes as she absentmindedly placed the star she had made onto the tray in front of her.

Jiang Lin noticed that Cai Yuxing’s stars were neater than his. His orange-yellow eyes darted between her work and his own hand.

Cai Yuxing, absorbed in her grief, didn’t notice Jiang Lin’s reaction.

Lu Yao gently patted Jiang Lin’s shoulder. When he turned to look at her, she spread her hand wide, demonstrating a gesture for him to follow.

After repeating the motion several times, Jiang Lin began to imitate her actions. He picked up a portion of materials, placed it in the mold at his side, and pressed it into a uniform sphere.

Lu Yao clapped her hands in delight. “Amazing! Would you like a candy?”

Jiang Lin tilted his head curiously. “Candy?”

Lu Yao pulled out a handful of fruit and milk candies from her pocket, giving a few pieces to Jiang Lin before turning to offer some to Cai Yuxing.

This time, without needing Lu Yao to guide him, Jiang Lin watched Cai Yuxing remove her rubber gloves and shuffle over to the sink to wash her hands. Slowly, he mimicked her, peeling off the wrapper and putting the candy into his mouth.

As the sweet strawberry-flavored candy melted on his tongue, the little monster-like boy’s eyes sparkled with joy.

Cai Yuxing was equally surprised as she chewed the candy, the sweetness spreading in her mouth. “Lu Yao, your candy tastes so different from the ones on this street!”

Lu Yao, caught off guard, replied vaguely, “Oh?”

Cai Yuxing pulled out two pieces of candy from her pocket and handed them to Lu Yao. “Try these, and you’ll see.”

Lu Yao unwrapped one, and though the scent was rich, the taste was disappointingly bland—like an overly diluted soda from a self-service restaurant.

Cai Yuxing asked eagerly, “How is it?”

Lu Yao shook her head. “Not great.”

Cai Yuxing frowned. “Why is your candy so much better? It’s sweet and full of flavor.”

Lu Yao gave a nonchalant explanation: “Maybe because it’s handmade in the shop? That might make it taste better.”

Cai Yuxing’s expression grew complicated. “If that’s true, your shop will soon become one of the hottest spots on this street.”

Lu Yao recognized the potential business opportunity but remained cautious. Ghost Street wasn’t like Dreamland. Based on what the two patrol guards and Cai Yuxing mentioned, many snack shops on the street seemed to have mediocre flavors despite their trendy decor and thoughtful designs.

The disparity puzzled her. Why did these shops neglect the most crucial aspect—the taste?

For now, however, she set the thought aside. The immediate priority was solving Jiang Lin’s problem.

…

Outside the Quiet Room, West District Church.

The employees of the security office and reception area gathered at the entrance, whispering in astonishment and puzzlement as Liu Jing stepped out of the quiet room.

Liu Jing removed the restraining device and emerged, her heart equally full of questions. After being forcibly restrained for four hours, she had managed to leave the quiet room unscathed.

Around her, the murmurs grew:

“That’s her!”

“They’re really letting her go?”

“Management staff showing signs of mutation—shouldn’t the ritual have started immediately?”

“Her mutation stopped midway. During the four hours in the quiet room, she didn’t lose herself once.”

“Who is she?”

…

Ignoring the prying stares, Liu Jing walked steadily through the crowd, her expression composed despite the storm of thoughts swirling within her.

Xu Zhengrong and Ren You waited at the back of the crowd.

They were tasked with escorting Liu Jing back to the North District.

Although she had safely emerged from the quiet room, the fact that she had once succumbed to a loss of self remained undeniable. Even if she returned to the management office, she would no longer be fit to work as an administrator. Her return would be limited to collecting her belongings. From now on, she would be just another ordinary guest on Ghost Street, perpetually monitored by the church’s security personnel.

As evening approached, the streets began to buzz with activity.

The patrol motorcycle entered the North District’s streets.

When Liu Jing spotted Lu Yao’s shop, she couldn’t help but say, “Stop for a moment; I want to see the shop owner.”

Ren You noticed the sign at the entrance and remarked, “The available slots dropped by two.”

Xu Zhengrong stopped the motorcycle.

The three of them dismounted and walked toward the DIY workshop.

Upon reaching the entrance, they found the hall empty.

Liu Jing noticed a sign pointing toward the adjoining activity classroom, gesturing toward it before stepping forward. She led the way toward the classroom.

Before they reached the door, they heard voices coming from inside.

Ren You grew curious. What could be so interesting about a craft activity?

Liu Jing was the first to reach the doorway, already preparing what she would say to Lu Yao. But the sight inside froze her in her tracks.

Xu Zhengrong, right behind her, frowned as she blocked the doorway. He looked up to urge her forward, only for his face to turn pale.

Ren You, the last to arrive, complained, “Why are you all just standing there? Let’s go in.”

Xu Zhengrong turned back to glare at him.

It was then that Ren You saw the distorted creature sitting beside Lu Yao in the classroom. His scream was halfway out of his throat when he slapped a hand over his mouth, sweat pouring down his face.

Lu Yao noticed the three clustered at the doorway and stood up to greet them. “Oh, you’re all here. Are you also interested in trying out today’s activity?”

Liu Jing, her legs trembling, stepped forward and grabbed Lu Yao’s wrist, pulling her outside. “Shop owner, why… why is there that kind of thing in your shop?”

Inside the classroom, Cai Yuxing and Jiang Lin noticed the commotion at the door.

Jiang Lin appeared curious.

Cai Yuxing, however, recognized Liu Jing’s and Xu Zhengrong’s uniforms, representing the management office and the church, respectively. Despair rose like suffocating smoke, threatening to engulf her completely.

Lu Yao glanced back at the two in the classroom, making a reassuring gesture before turning back to speak. “They came to the shop shortly after you left and encountered an accident. But compared to how he was at first, he’s already improved a lot.”

As Lu Yao spoke, a shadow butterfly responsible for real-time recording fluttered over.

The butterfly’s wings stirred, scattering luminous powder that formed a palm-sized projection in front of the three.

The projection displayed footage of Jiang Lin during his initial stage of mutation—a ghastly, mindless creature far more horrifying than his current state.

The accelerated video showed Jiang Lin’s body slowly and noticeably recovering, with his actions gradually regaining coherence.

Xu Zhengrong’s composed demeanor cracked, his eyes widening and pupils constricting. “How is this possible…”

Liu Jing’s astonishment was no less than Xu Zhengrong’s. A sudden thought flashed in her mind: Could her safe emergence from the quiet room also be related to this shop?

Ren You was speechless.

He had never heard of someone recovering from mutation. In their understanding, once symptoms of mutation appeared, they were the prelude to an endless descent into despair.

Xu Zhengrong pressed a hand to the communicator in his ear, the other hand pinching his thigh to force himself into composure. He suddenly felt a need to hide his unease from the young shop owner. “What do you want?”

Lu Yao smiled faintly. “After this afternoon’s tests, I’m confident Jiang Lin can fully recover—if I’m given enough time. Simply put, I hope you won’t interfere.”

Ren You took a deep breath.

Completely misjudged!

This wasn’t some sweet and innocent newbie—it was someone with an attitude that could outdo their director.

Xu Zhengrong kept his composure. “Apologies. The situation is indeed unusual, but we lack the authority to make decisions. I’ll report this faithfully to our superiors.”

With that, Xu Zhengrong began dialing and gave a detailed report on Jiang Lin’s condition in front of Lu Yao.

Lu Yao knew this wouldn’t be resolved easily. Pressuring the two patrol officers would be futile. She turned to Liu Jing instead. “You’re fine now?”

Liu Jing nodded. “Yes.”

Lu Yao smiled faintly. “Good.”

She returned to the classroom and picked up one of the completed fireworks shells, calling out to Jiang Lin and Cai Yuxing: “Since we’re done, let’s go test these outside.”

After confirming with Cai Yuxing that Ghost Street had no “prohibition on fireworks” rules, she saw no reason to hold back.

Cai Yuxing hesitated but eventually tugged Jiang Lin along. The two were the most ordinary of residents on this street, powerless to resist the street, the church, or the whims of Him. Their fates had been sealed the day they arrived four years ago, though they had stubbornly refused to accept it.

As they reached the doorway, Lu Yao tossed a white mask to Jiang Lin. “A little prop I made while I was idle earlier. Wear it—you’ll feel safer.”

Jiang Lin fumbled with the mask, unsure how to put it on. Cai Yuxing helped him secure it over his face.

Xu Zhengrong, mid-report, felt Ren You urgently tugging his sleeve. Translated on Hololonovels. Annoyed, he turned to scold him but followed his gaze back to the classroom.

The mask on Jiang Lin’s face began to expand, transforming into a translucent membrane that tightly enveloped his distorted body. Golden light intertwined with black threads, gradually reshaping the monstrous figure.

Within thirty seconds, the grotesque form of Jiang Lin had returned to his human teenage self.

Faced with the stunned and slightly fearful expressions of the onlookers, Lu Yao remained calm. “Question: what fundamentally distinguishes humans from animals?”

Silence.

Unfazed, Lu Yao continued, “Humans possess consciousness, subjective initiative, and the ability to create and use tools to fulfill their needs… Don’t tell me you’re all science students? Never studied politics?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The group was left speechless, struggling to find a proper response.

Seeing them frozen in confusion, Lu Yao didn’t bother further. “Xiao Cai, Jiang Lin, let’s go set off some fireworks.”

…

At the West District Church, the security office quickly assembled a team upon receiving the report, preparing to head to the DIY workshop in the North District.

The summer evening sun cast a golden glow over the streets, though it wasn’t yet six o’clock. The sky was still bathed in orange and gray light.

“Whoosh—”

A single nightfall firework shot into the air, the descending dusk suddenly sweeping away the daylight.

Darkness fell abruptly, and passersby wandering aimlessly through the streets paused, confused, and glanced upward.

“Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—”

“Boom, boom, boom—”

Eyes widened in amazement.

In the pitch-black sky above, fireworks with long trailing tails exploded and didn’t simply vanish in an instant. They twirled and danced in the air, almost as if they had a will of their own.

At the church gates, the security squad preparing to leave spotted the dazzling display over the North District.

Suspended among the fireworks, glowing text began to form:

—Lu Yao’s Creative DIY Workshop is in full swing!

—Come experience the magic of handcrafted fireworks!

—Only two days left! Act now before it’s too late!

One of the security officers murmured, “What kind of bigshot just arrived here?”

His colleague’s expression darkened to an extreme. “Abilities like this aren’t the work of an ordinary person.”

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️